Merida Events: Bazaars, Concerts and more!

This week is full of recitals by ensembles of students in the children’s music programs supported by the State of Yucatan.

Municipal Fiestas This Week

Dzilam Gonzalez Festival
According to the Mayor of Dzilam Gonzalez, their Festival for 2011 is going to be the party of the year in Yucatan. If you want to join the festivities, you had better hurry because the party is already underway. The following are the remaining events in the annual Festival in Dzilam Gonzalez.

Tuesday (Feb. 8): A Charlie Chaplin film, with proceeds going to benefit the local church. In the afternoon: rides, sales of clothes and snacks, and activities for young cowboys.

In the City of Merida

Monday (Lunes) February 07, 2011

Beginning Salsa Classes (Day Classes)
This from Anny: “We are starting a "Salsa for Dummies" class, i.e. a group of primarily NON-Latino folks who might feel lost in classes with primarily Latinos. Stop by and see what’s going on…we don’t know yet either, since our first class will be on Monday, but we’re going to have fun!”Location: La Viruta 51 calle 51 #501a x 60 y 62Time: Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PMAdmission: $50 pesos per lesson to begin with, and “less if we have enough of a group to pay the teacher!”

Piece of the Month: 104th Anniversary of the Death of Jose Peon Contreras
Of course, Jose Peon Contreras was the famous city father who made possible our beautiful Opera House on Calle 60 in the Centro. This program will apparently be about his life… a good place to learn some history and practice your Spanish listening skills.Location: Museum of the City of Merida, Calle 65 x 56Time: 9:00 AM TuesdayAdmission: Free

CVII Anniversary of the Birth of Ricardo Lopez Mendez
The laying of a floral wreath at the bust of the poet in Parque Heriberto Jara. There will be a performance by Grupo Folklorico Renacer de la 3ra Edad (Older adults), with the special presentation being given by the Reciter, Sergio Camara.Location: Centro Cultural Ricardo Lopez Mendez, across from LiverpoolTime: 4:00 PM TuesdayAdmission: Free

Presentation of the Ensembles: Students of CIMI
CIMI stands for Centro de Iniciación Musical Infantil, so this will be a performance of the young children who are learning to play classical instruments. What fun!Location: Centro Cultural La Iberica, Calle 74Time: 7:00 PM TuesdayAdmission: Free

Tuesday of Trova: Trio Sentimiento
This performance is under the direction of Andy Uicab.Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61Time: 8:30 PM TuesdayAdmission: Free

Rockumentary Cinema Series: Metalica: Some Kind of Monster
(U.S. 2004) A documentary crew followed Metallica for the better part of 2001-2003, a time of tension and release for the rock band, as they recorded their album St. Anger, fought bitterly, and sought the counsel of their on-call shrink.Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia GinerésTime: 8:00 PM TuesdayAdmission: Free

Presentation of the Ensemble de Jazz del CEMUS
This presentation is under the direction of Mtro. Gustavo Cetz and is part of the Children’s Artistic Education program in Yucatan.Location: Museum of the City, Calle 65 x 56Time: 8:00 PM WednesdayAdmission: Free

Lenny Sanchez in Concert: The History of Love
We do not hear enough of this lady!Preview Lenny SanchezLocation: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61Time: 9:00 PM WednesdayAdmission: Free

Paws on Pavement: A Wednesday Morning Walking Group
Every Saturday, an enthusiastic group of volunteers tackles the many tasks that need to be done at the Evolucion Sanctuary. If there is time, they also attempt to walk and socialize as many of the ovr 100 energentic dogs that live in the sanctuary. They decided to expand their walking group to include walks on Wednesday mornings and it has been a huge success for the volunteers and for the dogs. You are invited to come out and walk dogs with the volunteers for just two hours on Wednesday mornings – for your own benefit, as well as for the benefit of the dogs. For more details on this group, please contact Patricia:kenandpatricia[at]hotmail.com.

Monique’s Bakery: Whole Wheat & Sourdough Bread
You may place your order for special breads as late as 10:00 AM the day you pick it up. Bread pickup today is between 4:00 PM and 9:30 PM.To Reserve Your Bread, Call: 195-6413

Concert: Presentation of the Ensemble de Percusiones
This percussion performance is under the direction of Mtro. David Martinez.Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61Time: 7:00 PM ThursdayAdmission: Free

Opening of the Exhibition: Drawing and Proposals
This is the opening of an exhibition of the work of the students of Escuela Superior de Artes de Yucatán, the art school at the old Railroad Station in the Mejorada district.Location: the MACAY, Calle 60 x 61Time: 8:00 PM ThursdayAdmission: Free

Recital of Piano: Students of CEMUS
This performance is under the direction of Alberto Alvarez. For those who are not familiar with this man’s work and the quality of his students, just think “magic.” Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61Time: 7:00 PM FridayAdmission: Free

Mayan Clothing Bazaar
This group mainly works with small Mayan villages in a scheme of fair trade and team design (ethnic Mexican and Mayan clothing). Other artisans work with several themes, such as: ecology, art, social problems, natural materials, etc. Should be an interesting little market to check out!Location: Café Chocolate, Calle 60 x 53Time: 7:30 PM FridayAdmission: Free

Fundraiser Bazaar for Albergue de Ancianos San Joaquin
The call for assistance from the nursing home between Progreso and Chicxulub has, thus far, been a success! Unfortunately, the need continues – as is the case in all shelter institutions. The purpose of this bazaar is to raise funds that will go toward the purchase of a new stove. Donations of gently used or new items welcome before Feb. 5. Location: Calle 27 between Progreso & Chicxulub at Calle 40, 2 ½ blocks from Prepa Progreso.

Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Cats & Kids Bazaar and Bake SaleLocation: Calle 65A #509C x 84 y 82, CENTROTime: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Please mark your calendars and plan to support what we hope will be a huge garage sale. You can start now to put things you would like to donate aside, and you can ask your friends to do so too! Half of the money from this event will go to La Casa de Los Malcriados (The House of the Brat Cats), operated by Lida and Diana, who are two of the nicest people we know. Together, they care for 55 cats and 3 dogs. The other half of the proceeds will go to Un Kilo de Ayuda, a program that seeks to end child hunger and malnutrition in Yucatan. To learn more about this important event and to contact the sponsors, Visit the YAPA Website.

Parenting Classes: Talking and Listening to Your Children
Course began February 4th and 5th and will continue every Friday until March 11.More Information: Visit the Murgacs Hypnotherapy office for more information or reserve your spot www.liberesumente.com local number 252 7506 or cell 999 264 1204. Classes will be mostly in Spanish.

Hotel Zamna: St. Valentine’s Massacre Day Quiz: Monday, February 14
First Prize: 4 Bottles Contraband. Are you ready to be shot at with questions and have a night full of laughter?Location: Hotel Zamna, Calle 53 # 547, Barrio de Santiago, MeridaTime: 7:30 PM, Dinner served at 8:00 PMAdmission: $50 pesos Make reservations & pick up tickets early

“Another Funky Market”: Monday, February 28th
Various local artists, food, arts and crafts from all around Chuburna, Chelem, Chicxulub, Pogreso, Santa Elena, Telchac and Mérida. Please come and visit us at TACOMAYA in Chelem Location: TACOMAYA, in front of the baseball park just a bit west of the square in Chelem north side of calle 19Time: from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PMAdmission: Free but bring plenty of pesos

Carnival 2011 (More as we hear additional information)
Mark your calendars now for the following parade dates:
March 2, 2011: Quema del Mal Humor
March 3, 2011: Preschoolers Parade
March 4, 2011: Corsican Parade
March 5, 2011: Fantasia Parade
March 6, 2011: Bachata Parade (Loads of fun with a Caribbean flavor)
March 7, 2011: Regional Parade
March 8, 2011: Battle of the Flowers Parade
March 9, 2011: Entierro de Juan Carnival
Keep an eye on Zona de Palcos to plan where you will get the best view of the festivities. No word yet on seating prices, but there should be more information soon.Carnival Map on the Carnival de Merida 2011 website.

Merida Showcase of Homes, A Home Tour: Sunday, March 20, 2011
Presented by Fundacion BAI A.C. (Brazos Abiertos Inc.) Tickets can be purchased up to the day of the event from: Suzanne Larimer 999-148-7024, Sam Woodruff – Progreso – 999-127-8433, Leslie & Richard Bennink 928-49-95, Nancy Hoag 924-30-94, and Dr. Carlos Cabrera 999-292-8436. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at the “Brazos Abiertos Education and HIV Prevention Center”, between 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM. The homes will be open for the tour from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Paul Lindemuth, famed Chicago Chef and his staff will be providing complimentary hors d’oeuvres. All homes on the tour are located in Centro Merida.Location: Centro Merida, – The starting point will be the Brazos Abiertos HIV “Education and Prevention Center” located on Calle 72 #463-A x 55 y 53.Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM SundayAdmission: $250 pesos per person